Where does the River Ganga originate?
a) Yamunotri Glacier
b) Gangotri Glacier
c) Manasarovar Lake
d) Trimbakeshwar
Answer: b) Gangotri Glacier
Explanation
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Gangotri Glacier: The main headstream of the Ganga, known as the Bhagirathi, originates from the Gaumukh ice cave at the terminus of the Gangotri Glacier in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
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Formation of the Ganga: The river takes the official name Ganga at Devprayag, where the headstream Bhagirathi meets the Alaknanda River (which originates from the Satopanth Glacier).
Overview of Other Options
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a) Yamunotri Glacier: Located on the slopes of the Banderpoonch peak in Uttarakhand; it is the origin place of the Yamuna River.
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c) Manasarovar Lake: A high-altitude freshwater lake in Tibet near which major trans-Himalayan rivers originate, including the Indus, Sutlej, and Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo).
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d) Trimbakeshwar: Located in the Nashik district of Maharashtra; it is the source of the Godavari River.
